UNP Parliamentarian Ranjith Madduma Bandara, in his capacity as the Public Adminustration, Law and Order Minister, has informed all secretaries of ministries, heads of state institutions and IGP Pujith Jayasundara that President Maithripala Sirisena's move to appoint Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister and all subsequent appointment are illegal.

In his letter, he warns all state institution heads to refrain from taking instruction from "unlawfully" appointed Ministers of the new government.

Madduma Bandara's letter comes a day after Speaker Karu Jayasuriya issued a statement recognizing Ranil Wickremesinghe as the lawful Prime Minister of the country unless proven otherwise by a Parliamentary majority.

He also added that lawful government would pursue disciplinary action against officials carrying out illegal instructions and will hold them personally responsible for any financial damage caused to the state by their decisions.